Mowen ready to shine against ABs

Wallabies back-rower Ben Mowen is keen to make an impact if he is selected to face the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.

Wallabies back-rower Ben Mowen is keen to make an impact if he is selected to face the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship opener in Sydney on Saturday.

Mowen was named as the Brumbies' best forward at the Canberra-based franchise's annual awards presentation on Saturday but rather than party hard, he left the function early.

He took a flight to Sydney on Sunday to rejoin the Wallabies squad and wants to be in peak condition if new coach Ewen McKenzie picks him to face the world champions.

''I didn't want to leave any stone unturned in my preparation ... I'm just so excited about this new challenge, and obviously it doesn't come any bigger than the world champions and getting to play them for the chance to hold the Bledisloe Cup,'' Mowen told the Canberra News.

The 28-year-old's career has come on in leaps and bounds since moving to the Brumbies in 2012. He has gone from a surprise selection as captain to leading the club to a Super Rugby runners-up spot.

His development was rewarded by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and has also been noticed by McKenzie. And now Mowen wants to help the Wallabies win back the Bledisloe Cup which the All Blacks have held since 2003.

''I've been lucky enough to be involved in two shifts in culture, in the last couple of years with the Brumbies and now the Wallabies starting under a new coach,'' he added.